Sonny Rollins Reccommendations sought

[jazzseeker]

I, along with the rest of the jazz world, love Saxophone Collosus.

What are other Rollins suggestions, must haves, that show the breadth of his creativity. What floats your boats?

[J Larsen]

I really like the RCA box. The record clubs tend to have this one pretty cheap. That would be my suggestion for a second purchase. If you don't want to splurge that much, Way Out West is as much of a classic as Sax Collosus, and Tenor Madness is another great record. Newk's Time on BN isn't as flashy, but it is an underrated record all the same.

I've been wanting to hear the live Rollins/Cherry material for some time but have had difficulty finding any of the grey market cds - can anyone point me in the right direction?

[Aggie87]

His Live at the Village Vanguard set is well worth checking out too. It's just him with a rhythm section (in that sense the same as Way Out West).

Tenor Madness includes his only work with Coltrane.

I like his RCA stuff as well. The Bridge is great, as is Sonny Meets Hawk, his collaboration with Coleman Hawkins.

J Larsen - I've got Our Man In Jazz, which is a legit release that includes Don Cherry, and really enjoy it. Mine is a French RCA/BMG release from last year (?) that is remastered, and sounds great. I don't know if it's on the RCA box or not, but if not it's well worth pursuing.

[J Larsen]

Thanks Aggie - that is in the box. There are some recordings from their Euro tour that are said to have to be heard to be believed.

[J Larsen]

I've been horribly remiss by failing to mention the Monk album "Brilliant Corners" featuring Rollins. If you don't have that one, get it today!

[JSngry]

Depends on what you like.

If COLLOSUS turns you on, you can safely go for WAY OUT WEST, NEWK'S TIME, SONNY ROLLINS VOLUME 2, and FREEDOM SUITE. The VANGUARD album is one of the all-time great ones too.

If you like getting a little more adventurous, then the RCA period has it's "must haves" in the form of THE BRIDGE, WHAT'S NEW, OUR MAN IN JAZZ, SONNY MEETS HAWK (really beyond category, that one is, and one of the most fascinating records ever made for my taste), & NOW'S THE TIME. Hell- just get the RCA box and be done with it!

Then there's the Impulse! trio of "official" releases - ON IMPULSE!, ALFIE, & EAST BROADWAY RUNDOWN, all 3 essential in my book, but for starters, I'd go w/ALFIE, simply because it's probably the most "accessable" of the 3 for somebody not attuned to the developements of the 60s (if that's what you in fact are) and because it captures some of the most brilliant improvisations by one of the most brilliant improvisors of our time. Can't beat THAT, eh?

Then there's the Milestone period, somewhat controversial, and, in all honesty, best explored in completion by hardcore, unapologetic Newk fanatics (of which I am an unabashed one). But between the SILVER CITY compilation and NEXT ALBUM, you can get the cream of the crop and be well pleased (Thank you, Slippy). Also, +3 (jeez, what a BEAUTIFUL ballad version of "Cabin In The Sky" is to be found here!) & GLOBAL WARMING (the first album where Sonny's age viv-a-vis his tone manifests itself, and fascinatingly so) have more than their share of moments, and have stuck with me longer than the usual Milestone albums have. THIS IS WHAT I DO, his most recent, has kinda been refusing to let go as well, especially the tune "Have You Seen Harold Vick". What fascinating things go on in that piece!

If you can find it, Japanese RCA released a live thing called SONNY ROLLINS IN JAPAN in (and from) the early 70s that is KILLER. Don't know if it's ever made CD anywhere, but if you can find an LP copy, buy it on sight. It IS that good.

As for the "grey market" items, good luck. They've all been on labels that are gone with the wind. But keep an eye open in Cadence or some such place. These things have a way of popping up under different titles on different labels periodically, and when they do, you gotta carpe diem like a mutha!

But yeah - that's some INCREDIBLE stuff, especially the sets w/Cherry and the two Denmark things on Moon. Simply unbelievable.

Sonny's a master. If you want to deal with "modern" jazz as a serious music, you pretty much have to deal with Sonny in some form or fashion. His impact in the 50s was HUGE, and his work in the 60s has had a delayed influence. But if you dig, say, Henry Threadgill, you GOT to deal w/60s Sonny. After the 60s, the influence might not be so profound, but the stories he tells (even the boring ones) are still full of implications and wisdom.

[catesta]

I don't know what else you have but, these are among some of my favorites.


Tenor Madness (prestige)
Sonny Rollins Plus Four (prestige)
Sonny Rollins Vol 2 (Blue Note)
Sonny Meets Hawk (RCA)
Newks Time (Blue Note)

[Mr. Robinson]

Sonny Rollins Volume 2 (Blue Note)
The Bridge (RCA)
Sonny Meets Hawk (RCA)

[3pointdeli]

any of his work on impulse is excellent. my favorite is "east broadway rundown." great album art, and you can't lose with elvin jones on drums.

you also can't lose when thelonious monk is in the line-up, so i'll second the reccommendation for "brilliant corners"...and anything else with rollins/monk.

[saintvitus]

Originally posted by JSngry


If you can find it, Japanese RCA released a live thing called SONNY ROLLINS IN JAPAN in (and from) the early 70s that is KILLER. Don't know if it's ever made CD anywhere, but if you can find an LP copy, buy it on sight. It IS that good.



Sonny Rollins in Japan (http://www.towerrecords.com/product.asp?pfid=1463775&cc=USD)

[JSngry]

:eek:

[walkin]

My favs:

The Bridge
Tenor Madness
On Impulse
Freedom Suite

[riverrat]

I'll add another vote for "Way Out West". The new Analogue Productions hybrid SACD is supposed to be a big improvement in sound, but I don't have it yet.

[Muskrat Ramble]

But yeah - that's some INCREDIBLE stuff, especially the sets w/Cherry and the two Denmark things on Moon. Simply unbelievable.

Second that. I got the first Rollins Meets Cherry volume not long ago and really dug the extended solos from Rollins. (I dig Cherry, too, for that matter.) When Sonny really revs up and gets into a groove, look out! Bad sound quality, alas. Sounds like one of those "taped by someone in the audience under questionable circumstances" issues.

[JSngry]

There was a date issued on Magnetic with GOOD sound that I've yet to get a copy of (entirely due to my own laziness, btw...). The ones w/bad sound have been out several times. But who gives a damn about sound whent the stuff is this ON? Somewhere in the middle of an "Oleo"(?), Sonny quotes "The Daring Young Man On The Flying Trapeeze", and that just about sums it all up right there, in more ways than one.

[anthonyh]

On the subject of Sonny Rollins, anyone know which album his tune 'Pent-up House' originally appears on?

[J.A.W.]

Originally posted by anthonyh
On the subject of Sonny Rollins, anyone know which album his tune 'Pent-up House' originally appears on?

I could be wrong, but I think it was Sonny Rollins Plus Four.

[JSngry]

You are not wrong, sir. Prestige date by the Brown/Roach group under Sonny's nominal leadership. also has "Valse Hot", "Kiss And Run", "Count Your Blessings", & "I Feel A Song Coming On". ANOTHER essential Rollins album!

In fact, the Rollins Prestige box (and the FREELANCE YEARS box), like the Rollins RCA box, is probably the best way to get it all over with in one fell swoop.

[king ubu]

I love SONNY ROLLINS AND THE BIG BRASS (VME). It includes an (awkwardly mixed) big band session (first side of original LP) with among other titles the grand Rollins original "Grand Street" and some solo-work by René Thomas on guitar. Then there is a trio session (2nd side of original LP) with Henry Grimes and Specs Wright doing among other things a great take of "Manhattan". Than Sonny solo playing "Body & Soul" (end of LP).
As an additional bonus you get what for me is almost the best part of the CD, a live session with John Lewis, Percy Heath and Connie Kay which has some great Rollins.

Then, as i have the Prestige (good with exceptions), Freelance (great) and RCA (probably the best of the boxes) sets as well as the Blue Note sessions (all recommended), I would be glad to get any recommendations for worthwhile later (70ies to today) Rollins. I know he recorded quite a lot and is still an imposing presence live, but i never took the plunge for his later recordings.

ubu

[Jazzmoose]

You know, I love Saxophone Colossus and Tenor Madness , but to be honest, Way Out West never measured up in my opinion. I've met enough Rollins fans to know it's something between my ears, not the record, but...

[Peter Johnson]

Agree re east broadway rundown. It can be a little "out" in places, and I'm not sure what you're looking for, but it's the sort of acquired taste I've rarely found anyone not to indulge eventually.

Speaking of Sonny on Impulse!, did anyone mention Alfie? That's pretty accessible, and has some tight large-ish ensemble work.

Finally, for anyone in the delmarpa area, Sonny Rollins plays live tomorrow night at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia! :cool:

[clifton]

For Rollins, one of the genuine geniuses in jazz, I favor some of the obvious choices, i.e. Live At The Village Vanguard, Saxophone Collossus, The Bridge, Way Out West. But I give equal weight to Sonny Rollins +3, on Milestone, which is essential Sonny IMHO. Work Time and Our Man In Jazz are pretty cool, too.

[BruceH]

For me Way Out West is top of the list.

[bluenotes]

I discovered Don Cherry with Sonny Rollins (or vice versa) by accident while looking for something else online. I special-ordered both volumes of Sonny Rollins/Don Cherry of a live date they did in two nights, I think in NYC.

But I'm getting this sinking feeling that neither one of these will be found. If by some miracle I do get them, I'll come back and post to this thread.

There another Sonny Rollins CD that I'd like to recommend, if it hasn't already been mentioned... and I think it's entitled "Sonny Rollins" and has Donald Byrd on trumpet. I'll look for it and come back here later with the details.

[It Should be You]

Lots of good suggestions!

How about Sonny with others?

Dizzy Gillespie with Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt
Thelonious Monk with Sonny Rollins (has Nutty and Friday the 13th)
The Amazing Bud Powell
Sonny Rollins Vol. 2 on Blue Note (with Silver, Monk, JJ Johnson, Chambers and Blakey)

And I'm pretty sure he is on some Fats Navarro albums

[maygar]

On the more recent front, I enjoyed 'Plus 3'.
But Rollins is huge, the sides with Clifford Brown are amongst my favourite music.
Nothing can replce seeing him live, on one of the many good nights, when is inspiring, incredible.

[SatinDoll]

Originally posted by It Should be You


And I'm pretty sure he is on some Fats Navarro albums
Well, you mentioned "The Amazing Bud Powell", that´s were you have Sonny Rollins together with Fats. The same quintet - tracks also appear on "The Fabulous Fats Navarro Vol.2" (but Powell was the leader of that great session!). Besides that I dont think there are recorded evidences of Sonny Rollins together with Fats.

[bluenotes]

After waiting 30 days, I was notified a couple of days ago that the "Sonny Rollins with Don Cherry volumes 1 & 2" albums were no longer available. I was disappointed until I read your message, Muskrat Ramble.

Sonny Rollins has been a favorite of mine for many years and I've recently started to appreciate Don Cherry's music. So I thought an album with both of them would be worth hearing--like the John Coltrane and Don Cherry album, "The Avant-Garde".

[Saundra Hummer]

It would be easier to list ones, one doesn't like, than to list his best, as there are just so many, but a favorite of mine, for its simplicity and groove is "Way Out West."

These three greats, Sonny, Ray Brown, and Shelly Manne are so good together as to be awe inspiring.

I grew up with most of the music on this cut and they just bring so much to it, well, you have to hear it to know. Much more out there, just as good, regardless of who he was with, he was and is such a great talent, and a super nice man to boot! Pardon the pun!

[Saxman]

Wow, has Sonny EVER cut a bad album? I'd say get as much as you can. I love it all! He's like Monk: it's all great!